Badlands Loop Road

The Badlands Loop Road is the only paved road through Badlands National Park [1]. It is a 23-mile road that runs between the Pinnacles Entrance in the north to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center [2] in the southeast. The road winds between the ridges of the Badlands Wall, literally a wall of spires and pinnacles that were once the northern bank of the White River. As the river cut into the sediments of the plains, the wall was left behind.

There are several scenic turnouts along the road, all of which provide dramatic vistas of the Badlands and of the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, which border the park. Carry your binoculars and keep an eye out for wildlife.

From the north, heading to the southeast, stop at the Pinnacles Overlook, the Ancient Hunters Overlook and then, if you’ve packed a lunch, keep an eye out for Conata Road, which is located near Dillon Pass. There are picnic tables about a half-mile south on the road.

There are several other turn-outs between Dillon Pass and Big Foot Pass and more picnic tables at the Big Foot Pass Overlook. Keep an eye out for white park signs that announce activities in the area and be sure to stop at the Fossil Exhibit Trail [3].

The Fossil Exhibit Trail is marked with interpretive signs and fossil displays and is an easy, wheelchair-accessible trail that can be traversed in 20 minutes or less. It provides a nice stop for a good stretch. The road ends at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center [2].